Gifted by Napoleon to his sister, Elisa-
The stars aligned when Benedetta inherited the family farm from her grandfather, Franco Lenzini, in 2007. Tenuta Lenzini farms biodynamically in Capannori, in the Apennine region of Lucchese. Benedetta Tronci and her spirited husband, Michele Guarino, ultimately converted to biodynamic agriculture. The aim was to practice a philosophy in which consistently:
"man'simpact becomes non-existent, and where nature takes
form and substance.”
Tenuta Lenzini comprises 22 hectares of land surrounding the farmhouse, with amphitheater-shaped vineyards stretching across 13 hectares. This property holds numerous tales from its long history, dating back to the 16th century. It was owned by Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife, both of whom are depicted in the famous Van Eyck painting. It was also the land that Napoleon Bonaparte gave his sister, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, as a wedding present. Thereafter, in 1800, she planted vines on this site, specifically Merlot and Cabernet Franc, as they were French—this was what she knew.
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Before hitting the cellar, they start with some good old-fashioned whole-cluster foot stomping. This adds more complexity, allows the vineyard’s earth to radiate through, and aids in the development of spice and the texture of the wines. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and the use of sulfites is limited to what is strictly necessary, if at all; the wines are aged in steel, cement, or old barrels.
They work tirelessly to build their vineyard’s biome, which in turn enables them to produce expressive wines where human intervention is as minimal as possible. They are territorial and distinctive expressions of identity, which Benedetta and Michele want to be "easily understandable." They describe this approach as "reasoned viticulture" or "emotional enology,” aiming to bring forth the terroir as the main characteristic. They build their wines on authenticity, truth, and a passion for the natural world.
OWNERS + WINEMAKERS: Benedetta Tronci and Michele Guarino
WHERE: Capannori (Lucca) • Tuscany, Italy
FOUNDED: 2007
LAND: 13 hectares, 150 -200 meters above sea level.
VARIETALS: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vermentino, and Sauvignon
APPELLATION: IGP Toscana, Colline Lucchesi DOC
VITICULTURE: Biodynamic
ANNUAL PRODUCTION: 50,000 bottles
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Colline Lucchesi DOC
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"There are aromatic nuances that you do not expect; sensory alchemies that cannot be explained except by rediscovering the expressiveness of nature, the origins of a territory."
"Casa e Chiesa" is Tenuta Lenzini's flagship wine. It is an everyday red from their historic vineyard of biodynamically farmed Merlot grapes. It is super comforting and fresh juice. It’s vinified in steel and old porous concrete tanks, which assist in articulating its rusticness, sincerity, and heartwarming, artisanal qualities. Let’s not forget the salinity of this wine! By all means, this is naturally a gastronomic delight.
Lenzini's Merlot "Casa e Chiesa" is named after the vineyard's location, between their house and the hamlet’s historic church. Merlot vines have been grown in the hills of Lucca for centuries and grow with great vigor in soil that is successfully humming with biodiversity. Theirs is a minimally invasive approach that forbids any intervention in the must- thus, no clarifications, filtrations, or addition of sulfites. Fermentations occur spontaneously through the intervention of indigenous yeasts in tanks without any temperature control. This is followed by aging in steel and cement for about 24 months.
The nose screams of dark-hued juicy fruit: wild blackberries, tree-picked plums, and cherries. Reminders of rich soil, foresty bouquets, and bits of milled pepper alongside wafting scents of underbrush. Mouthwatering freshness, with a rustic enlivened tannic texture. Captivating!
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•••REGION: Tuscany
DENOMINATION: Colline Lucchese DOC
VARIETAL: Merlot 100%
VINEYARD: Organic and biodynamic farming, 30+ years old
SOIL: Clayey and sandy soils.
ALTITUDE:
EXPOSURE: Southern
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM:
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in tanks for 12-15 days without temperature control. No stabilization and no filtration.
Aging: 24 months in steel vats and concrete tanksDESCRIPTORS:
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BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 5+ yearsBAR CODE:
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Toscana IGT
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No distractions. Center yourself. Work it, feel it!
Big and juicy, this is not an old sneaker of a wine. Let’s start by introducing this grape. It was created when botanist Henri Bouschet crossed Grenache with Petit Bouschet back in the mid-1800s. Wait! Those are not Italian grapes. Ding ding! 2 points, you are correct. This varietal came to Italy 150 years ago, before Napa was even on a map. Lucca was under the reign of France at the time, and without deep driving into an Italian history lesson, the short of it is, the French brought to Lucca what they knew, ergo Alicante Bouchet, in Italy. Now, when you peel back the skin of an Alicante Bouschet grape, you’ll see what separates it from the others. Unlike most other red grapes, which have clear flesh, Alicante Bouschet has red flesh. It is one of a few red grapes on the outside and the inside. These are precisely called Teinturier grapes, like our ol’ pal Colorino. While they are both considered the workhorse of grapes and are known for their inky, thick skin that packs a punch of color, Alicante steps it up with layered fruits and bright minerality. Now add to this Lenzini’s biodynamic farming, low yields, and low intervention in the winery! Oh, la la!
Buscè is a flirty wine—strong with a body that holds up, even in the warmer months. With its tongue-in-cheek label, Busce delivers the more pleasing qualities of Alicante and shows you what a workhorse can do if you give it time, concentration, and understanding. Peaches and red fruits are slightly macerated, supported by a backbone of minerality. Fresh with mischievous salinity, Busce is incredibly tasty!
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•••REGION: Tuscany
DENOMINATION: Toscana IGT
VARIETAL: Alicante Bouschet 100%
VINEYARD: Organic and biodynamic farming, 40 years old
SOIL: Clayey and sandy soils.
ALTITUDE:
EXPOSURE: Southern
YIELD PER HECTARE:
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VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Fermentation in Stainless steel with Indigenous yeasts
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BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
RESID. SUGAR(G/L): G/l
LONGEVITY: 5+ yearsBAR CODE:
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Toscana IGT
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To be fittingly frank, folks fall for a fantastic Franc,
first and foremost, one named for Nonno Franco
To experience being transported over a crowd held up by many hands is an occurrence one never forgets. Surfing towards the stage by the spirited mob, buoyant, aqueous, and free, only to return to your feet across the venue. Oh, those were the days! Can you feel it? The sensation is merely a memory away.Presenting Franco!
100% artisanal, 100% Cabernet Franc. A wine that weaves you through place and time creates memories, undeniably, the crowd surfing of wines. The entire cluster pressing process begins with the feet. Franco ferments spontaneously in concrete tanks and plays to your nose with frankly Franc aromas typical of the authentic grape variety. Cabernet Franc has taken residence as one of the French-borrowed principal grapes of Lucca. It’s been in the hills since the early 1800s. Soft lusciousness cocoons your mouth, a lengthy, vegetal, and earthy finish—a total ride. Franco is a tribute to Benedetta's grandfather, who passed the estate he had started to her. Thanks for the memories, Franco.
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•••REGION: Tuscany
DENOMINATION: Toscana IGT
VARIETAL: Cabernet Franc
VINEYARD: Organic and biodynamic farming, 40 years old
SOIL: Clayey and sandy soils.
ALTITUDE:
EXPOSURE: Southern
YIELD PER HECTARE:
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VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Alcoholic fermentation with Indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks; malolactic fermentation in oak
Refinement: 6 months in inox vats and in grèsDESCRIPTORS:
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BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
RESID. SUGAR(G/L): G/l
LONGEVITY: 5+ yearsBAR CODE:
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‘Vermoon’
Vermouth Rosso di Merlot
Howlingly delicious!
Variety: Merlot + spices, from their 'Casa e Chiesa' vineyard
Fermentation: fermentation in steelLenzini’s "Vermoon" is a Red Vermouth made from their biodynamically grown and naturally produced 'Casa e Chiesa' Merlot grapes. Late-harvested merlot is infused with over 16 spices. It offers a complex and rich bouquet with notes of medicinal herbs, aromatic spices, caramel, and vanilla, resting on an enveloping, soft, and round body—limited supply.
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Made from Casa e Chiesa
COLOR: Orange-red with amber reflections
SCENT: Notes of red fruit in alcohol, sweet spices, aromatic herbs, and caramel
TASTE: Smooth and rich with a very long fruity persistence
BOTTLES:
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PACK: 12
CLOSURE: cork cap
ALC BY VOL(%): 18%
LONGEVITY: 5+ years
UPC: -
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EXPOSURE: Southern
YIELD PER HECTARE:
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BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC BY VOL(%):
RESID. SUGAR(G/L): G/l
LONGEVITY: 3+ yearsBAR CODE:
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Tenuta Lenzini
Via della Chiesa di Gragnano, 44 - 55012 Capannori (LU)